Jake came in as THE most highly touted QB in the country and started Game 1 as a true freshman. He also led a campaign to attract and sign other 4-5-star players, and it worked. That's something that immediately impressed me about Jake. He understood that he will only be as good as the players around him and he worked hard to help BYU out as best as he could. I would say that was his first accomplishment as a BYU QB - winning the recruiting battle for his team before he even set foot on campus. So yeah, game 1, he's taking the first snaps and has already achieved a sort of hero status before this even happens. He goes on to have an above average true-freshman campaign, win some post-season MWC awards and is set on the watchlist for other national awards. Everything is going according to the plan. However there is that lingering issue that he knows the team isn't entirely in favor of him starting. He knows that they are kind of watching and waiting for him to screw up and will be more than thrilled if he loses his starting job. This is the first major mental health punch.

Year two, his parents get divorced and this has got to be devastating for a kid who is already experiencing mental health and confidence and security issues. Then, BYU brings in a new OC who installs a very difficult pro style offense and Jake is tasked with completely adjusting his style of play while working through the growing pains that accompany a first-time OC. Then, BYU sets out as an independent and Jake must do all that is mentioned above while also adjusting to an upgrade in competition. Even then, Jake still does pretty well - considering all things. Then the Utah State fiasco happens. You could tell by looking at him on the sidelines that this was incredibly difficult and painful. Everything he saw coming and feared was unfolding right in front of his eyes. He had to be thinking - why don't these guys like me? Why are they playing better and harder for Riley than they were for me? If they played like this for me, we'd be in a much better position to win." He took 5 -7 MAJOR blows to his mental health this year. And so he transfers...

As a young kid, who is entering a vulnerable and frightening time for anyone, these first two years away from home are crucial to his future development. I think considering all of the mental health blows he experienced in year two, is enough to knock just about anybody off the horse for a while...some never recover. Jake did, and showed a determination and resilience and maintained that trademark kind and courteous disposition through it all. I think understanding what happened to Jake helps us understand him and his career much better. I for one have so much respect for this guy - my fellow Washingtonian Brother.